The Masters Tournament

By on Thursday, January 31st, 2008 | No Comments

The Masters Tournament

The Masters golf tournament has long been known as “the big show” for many golfers. It’s the BIG one – the one everyone wants to win - the one that can really define a career as a professional golfer. It has a long and storied history – one steeped in golf tradition.

In 1934 Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts wanted to provide a service to golf by hosting an annual golf tournament. Roberts proposed the event be called the Masters Tournament, but Jones objected thinking it sounded too presumptuous. The name Augusta National Invitation Tournament was adopted and that title was used for five years until 1939 when Jones relented and the name was officially changed.

The tournament is held at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, GA, where it is still hosted today. Many decisions made in the early days of the Masters still remain today. Among these are

* The four-day stroke playing of 18 holes each day instead of the then customary 36 holes on the third day
* Eliminating qualifying rounds
* Denying permission for anyone except the player and the caddie to be in the playing area
* Commercialization in any form of the tournament was limited.

The first Masters Tournament was held on March 22, 1934, and beginning in 1940, the Masters was scheduled each year during the first full week in April. That first tournament was won by Horton Smith. In 1935 Gene Sarazen hit “the shot heard ‘round the world” scoring a double eagle on the par five 15th hole tying Craig Wood and forcing a playoff. Sarazen won the 36-hole playoff the following day winning by five strokes.

In 1942, Ben Hogan lost to Byron Nelson by one stroke in an 18-hole playoff and the tournament was not played the following three years: 1943, 1944, and 1945 during World War II. To assist the war efforts, cattle and turkeys were raised on the Augusta National grounds.

Many milestones have occurred throughout the history of the Masters. In 1965 and 1966, Jack Nicklaus became the first Masters champion to defend his title successfully. Many others would have consecutive wins, but The Golden Bear was the first. Tiger Woods broke the four-day scoring record that has stood for 32 years in 1997.

The Masters is characterized by offering the winner a green jacket and having that jacket is considered a great honor in the golfing world. The previous year’s winner would always present the jacket to the current year’s winner and it is done with great flourish.

The Masters is one of golf’s greatest tournaments. The best part is that amateurs can gain entry into the tournament by invitation only giving them dreams of winning the big prize against the best in the field!

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Las Vegas Golf Course

By on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 | No Comments

Las Vegas Golf Course

There may be a lot of things that Las Vegas is famous for, but golf isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, golf in Las Vegas is becoming a sport for the well-to-do and the common man alike.

Twenty-nine years ago, locals and visitors played at The Tropicana Golf Course, which has been replaced by the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. The Dunes course, since replaced by Bellagio and Monte Carlo Hotels, Desert Inn Country Club, is still there, though it will be gone soon. The Municipal Golf Course, Las Vegas Country Club, Craig Road, Sahara Country Club, Winter Wood, two courses at Nellis and Paradise Country Club, are all still there, though the names may have changed. They were pretty much the only courses in the valley.
Today, there are 57 golf courses in and around Las Vegas. They're not all up and running yet as that number includes under construction and on the planning board. Also, the number includes courses within a two hour drive of Las Vegas, Mesquite, Primm, Laughlin and Pahrump.

Even so, that's a lot of golf courses for a city of less than one and a half million. Of course, thirty-six million plus tourists a year add to the profitability of opening one. Greens fees for Las Vegas golf can be quite steep for the common man and many locals have given up local golf for just that reason.

Las Vegas golf courses were designed by the pros who also played them in tournaments every year. Palmer, Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriques, Johnny Miller and Fuzzy Zoeller have all designed courses there. All of the major pro tours, PGA, LPGA and the SPGA have annual tourneys here. They started to play Las Vegas in 1953.
Golf is a year-round sport in Las Vegas. Even on those forty days a year that there's some rain, you still might get 18 holes in. There are only about 5 days a year when you can't play. In the spring there may be a few days of high winds that postpone your game. On cold days in the winter, you tee off at noon. On hot days from June to September, try to get a tee time from 6-9 am, to be off the course in the afternoon. Call very early for a tee time.

You will have a lot of options when you choose to golf in Las Vegas. But the best part about a Las Vegas golf trip? You can always try out the blackjack tables if your golf game stinks.

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Golf Grip Types

By on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 | No Comments

golf grip types

Golf Grip Types

A good golf grip is essential to playing a good game of golf. If you are gripping the club incorrectly or too hard, you will end up with shots that go places you don’t want them to go. There is no one exact science to the golf grip, but there are three basic golf grips that golfers use today:

* The overlapping grip is the most common golf grip used. It is used mostly by male golfers and those with strong wrists and forearms. The little finger of the right hand lies on top of or overlaps the index finger on the left hand.

* The baseball grip is most commonly used by younger golfers, females, seniors, and those with weaker wrists and arms. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand meet but do not overlap or interlock.

* An interlocking grip will be used by golfers with shorter hands and fingers, those with thicker or chunkier palms, and golfers who have difficulty with the overlapping grip. The index finger of the left hand and the little finger of the right hand overlap each other and interlock.
Here is the basic way to grip a golf club no matter which grip you use. Start by holding the club directly in front of you with your right hand with the club head pointing away from you at about a 45 degree angle.

Next grip the club with your left hand. The club will be mainly in the palm across the pads at the base of the fingers. However, the club will lie across the first section of the index finger. The thumb will be positioned straight on top of the golf club shaft. Relative to the golf club, the thumb will be in the twelve o’clock position.

Now, with your right hand, grip the golf club just above your left hand with the fingers, not the palm, of your right hand. The thumb will be positioned slightly off to the left. Relative to the golf club, the thumb will be in an eleven o’clock position.

If you have gripped the golf club correctly, only the first two knuckles of your left hand will be visible. Also, your left thumb should be completely hidden under your right hand. The index finger position of your right hand will look and feel like a gun trigger finger.
If your golf grip pressure is right, the club could almost be pulled out of your hands, but not quite. A correct golf grip will make you feel as if you are holding the club mostly in the palm and last three fingers of your left hand. Regardless, both hands should hold the club with equal pressure. A correct golf grip doesn’t guarantee a successful golf swing; however, a defective golf grip will almost always result in a failed golf swing.

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Myrtle Beach Golf Package

By on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 | No Comments

Myrtle Beach Golf Package

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is one of the best places to take a golf vacation to in the United States. Myrtle Beach boasts 85 golf courses, 60 places for accommodations and four golf schools. Many golfers say that Myrtle Beach is one of the prettiest places to golf in the United States as well as offering some very challenging courses. Here are some of the top golf resorts in Myrtle Beach:

* Blackmoor Golf Club - Gary Player’s only Grand Strand signature course is built on the historic Longwood Plantation, which parallels the Waccamaw River. This spectacular undulating design takes advantage of the natural terrain and beautiful vistas making it a most enjoyable place to play.

As the world’s most traveled golfer, Player was able to use his wisdom and talent to provide a challenging course for the most capable golfer. Yet, the clever layout provides the high handicapper a very fun round.
When you couple the charm of this course with its truly hospitable staff and inviting facilities, Blackmoor becomes a “must-play” year after year. Be sure to visit the website to see the area’s only live course web cam!

* Brunswick Plantation and Golf Resort - Brunswick Plantation, a 27-hole golf resort located just minutes from Myrtle Beach, features quick champion Bermuda greens.

Each nine has a special flair, presents challenges and provides a scenic backdrop with tall Carolina pines and water views.

The 14,000 square foot, plantation-style clubhouse offers a fully-stocked pro shop with friendly, professional service. A putting green and driving range are also available.

Located just three miles north of the N.C./S.C. state line, you’re sure to experience a special brand of Southern hospitality.

* Burning Ridge East - While playing golf at this great Myrtle Beach course, you will encounter elegantly shaped mounded fairways and large yawning bunkers before you reach our smooth putting surfaces.
Burning Ridge was the winner of the “2006 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year” and winner of the Myrtle Beach Golfing News’ “Hospitality and Operational Excellence- 2002.”

There are plenty of places to stay in Myrtle Beach when you go for a golf vacation. Most of the resorts in the area are lush and beautiful. They offer excellence in both service and accommodations and pride themselves on providing some great Southern Hospitality.

Golf in Myrtle Beach is an experience beyond no other. You can easily spend a full week in one of the resorts and play on a beautiful golf course every single day. Myrtle Beach truly is a golfer’s paradise.

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Golf Apparel

By on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008 | No Comments

Golf Apparel

When it comes to golf apparel, you really have many choices available. What to wear isn’t always first on the golfer’s mind, but choosing the right golf apparel can make a difference in playing well and playing not so well. It’s true!

Many golf clubs have rules as to what golf apparel is acceptable on their course. This usually means no tank tops or short shorts, all players must wear shirts with collars, and no jeans are allowed. Other courses are less restrictive in their clothing and you can choose what you want to wear as long as it is tasteful.

Generally male golfers will wear khaki pants and a collared polo shirt. In warm weather, fitted shorts are generally permitted as part of the golf apparel. Most men will also opt for a hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.

Golf apparel for women, however, can run the gamut. Golf skirts are very popular for female golfers because they are less restrictive, but others opt for shorts or loose pants. Polo shirts are also worn by women – some sleeveless polos are also allowed on upscale courses. Women tend to opt for visors to keep the sun away although hats are another option.

When choosing your golf apparel, you should take care that the clothing is not too restrictive. You will want plenty of room to move around because your golf swing depends on your body moving in a fluid, smooth motion. There’s nothing worse than clothing that is too tight – especially on the golf course.

When choosing pants or shorts, it’s convenient to have pockets. Many golfers like to have pockets so they can carry golf tees, divot fixers, ball markers, and even extra balls, although we don’t recommend the latter as it can throw off your swing quite a bit.

You will want to choose clothes that are made of lightweight, breathable fabrics – especially if you golf primarily in cold weather. Many manufacturers of golf apparel know this and keep it mind during production, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find clothing like this.

You can find adequate golf apparel in many places. Golf course pro shops will carry specific lines of golf clothing that will conform to their dress code, but they will be a bit more expensive than buying them in a store. Find a golf store and you will find a great selection of golf apparel to choose from. Finally, you can get some great deal on golf apparel on the Internet in many, many places, often at discount prices.

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Golf Schools

By on Monday, January 21st, 2008 | No Comments

Golf Schools

So you’ve decided to take up golf and think that you may want to attend a golf school to learn about the game and the mechanics of the game. There are many, many golf schools to choose from that you may find yourself overwhelmed and unsure which way to turn. How do you find the best golf school for your needs?

First, consider the cost. Obviously, you won’t want to “break the bank” on a golf school that you can’t afford. See what they charge and compare that cost to what they offer as well as what’s included in the price. The more perks included in the package, the more valuable the golf school will be for you.

You may want to find a golf school that caters to your specific situation. They do have specific schools that teach only women, only seniors, or only youth. These types of golf schools are located all over the country and can be great if you want someone to specifically address the problems or limitations that your situation might include.

What type of credentials does a particular golf school have? Are they sanctioned by one of the major golf associations? How are their instructors taught? A good golf school doesn’t have to be run by a famous golfer, but it should have instructors who have taken accredited courses on the effective teaching strategies that they need to know.

Class size, practice time, and techniques taught should also be considerations when you choose a golf school. If you will be put into a class of a hundred students, you won’t get as much one on one time with the instructor as if you were put in a class of 5.

Golf schools are often affiliated with country clubs and run through them. Some are resort based where students stay at the resort in a vacation setting and receive daily lessons. Some instructors will travel the country making stops at various country clubs where they will conduct week long schools for instruction.

There are many places you can go to when you are looking for a golf school. Many golf publications will feature golf schools prominently in their advertisements and they generally list the itineraries of the traveling instructors. Your local golf club will probably have information about golf schools in the area and even out of the area. Of course, you can also utilize the Internet when you are looking for a golf school. There are all sorts of websites that can guide you toward a golf school that will fit your needs and get you well on the way to a great golf game.

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Hybrid Golf Club

By on Friday, January 18th, 2008 | No Comments

Hybrid Golf Club

The hybrid golf club is also referred to as a utility club and is a relatively recent addition to the variety of golf clubs golfers can choose from. They are growing in popularity because they are designed to be easier to hit for recreational golfers. In fact, they are easier to hit for all golfers and most touring pros now carry hybrid golf clubs in their bags.

Hybrid golf clubs are a category of club that combines elements of both woods and irons into their design. This combination adds up to having technical features that aid in getting the ball airborne, that dampen the effects of miss hits, and many other pluses.

Most hybrid golf clubs are designed to replace long irons (2, 3, 4, and sometimes 5 irons) in a golfer’s bag. When you hear it said that hybrid golf clubs are easier to hit, this is almost always meant in comparison to the long irons that these hybrids replace.

So why are hybrid golf clubs advantageous over regular irons?

A normal iron doesn’t have much of a back on it. You can make an iron that has perimeter weighting but you can’t have it further back unless it has a bigger back side. You can’t move much weight back into the air? Therefore, to make an iron easier to hit manufacturers have started to “fatten” the back of them. So hybrid golf clubs that look more like an iron have what seems to be a bulge on back of them. This is just moving the weight further back on the iron. Now they can have weight along the outside of the club and further back.

On the other hand, manufacturers who have made their Hybrid Golf Clubs look more like a fairway wood have been able to move the weight back a little more since the club is larger. Not large enough to be the size of a harder to hit fairway wood but large enough to do the trick.

Hybrid golf clubs also have a lower center of gravity. If you move the center of gravity down then the ball gets up in the air easier. It helps increase the launch angle of the ball without having to increase the actual loft of the club. This may not be visible but the result is.

If you have a three iron that is 20 degrees and a hybrid golf club that is the same loft, but has the weight further back (perimeter weighted) and the center of gravity lower then the club will launch the ball higher. That is why it is important to realize that when making a purchase of a hybrid golf club that the lofts are not directly comparable to the club you are replacing.

There are some players who swear by hybrid golf clubs and others who think they are just junk. But the simple fact is that a hybrid golf club is easier to get into the air, down the fairway and onto the green

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Golf Galaxy Golf Stores

By on Tuesday, January 8th, 2008 | No Comments

Golf Galaxy Golf Stores

Golf Galaxy, which opened its first store in 1997, quickly and easily differentiated itself from other golf retailers by becoming the world's first and only interactive golf store. By offering superstore selection and pricing with pro shop knowledge and service, Golf Galaxy became the “Everything for the Game” golf retailer.

Today, Golf Galaxy prides itself on its world-class selection of brand name golf equipment, golf apparel, golf accessories, and golf gifts for golfers of all ages and abilities. Premier merchandise brands include Callaway Golf, TaylorMade, Cobra, Cleveland, PING, Titleist, Ashworth, Greg Norman, Nike Golf, Adidas, and FootJoy. The retailer also sells pre-owned clubs and offers club trade-ins good toward any in-store purchase.

But it's more than merchandise that sets Golf Galaxy apart from other golf retailers. Golf Galaxy also offers a comprehensive array of golf services and interactive golf features. Some of these features include:

* on-staff PGA and LPGA professionals who offer lessons and computer video swing analysis and answer questions about equipment and club fitting;

* on-site certified club technicians who use hi-tech ball launch monitor technology to ensure a proper club fit and who re-grip, re-shaft or simply adjust existing club loft, lie and swing-weight to give customers custom-fitted brand name clubs;

* an electronic, state-of-the-art golf course simulator that allows players to test their skills on the world's most famous courses;

* an indoor driving bay that enables customers to test merchandise so as to make the best purchase possible;

* an on-site, full-sized bent-grass putting green featuring elaborate contours to create the pace and feel of a real golf course.

With 65 stores in 24 states, each averaging 17,000-square feet in size, Golf Galaxy is serving an ever growing golf market and is continuing to grow itself to meet the increasing demand. Recent statistics from the National Golf Foundation indicate there are currently an estimated 26.2 million golfers in the United States who spend approximately $24.3 billion on golf equipment and fees annually.

Golf Galaxy is an innovative, state-of-the-art interactive golf retailer. Designed to contain everything for the game, the stores boast comprehensive collections of golf equipment, apparel, accessories, and novelties for all ages and skill levels, as well as a host of interactive features.

Golf Galaxy also has an amazing website at www.golfgalaxy.com that offers visitors all sorts of information about the game of golf, golf equipment, and even online seminars. You can even order equipment online if there isn’t a Golf Galaxy store near you. For everything golf, be sure to check out Golf Galaxy.

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St. Andrew Golf Course

By on Sunday, January 6th, 2008 | No Comments

St. Andrew Golf Course

St. Andrews is located in Scotland and is commonly thought of as the birthplace of golf as we know it today. St. Andrews is home to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, who exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide except in the U.S. and Mexico.

The beautiful golf links in St. Andrews (acquired by the town in 1894) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship, the oldest of golf's four major championships. Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.

The St Andrews Links occupy a narrow strip of land along the sea. As early as the 15th century, golfers at St. Andrews established a customary route through the undulating terrain, playing to holes whose locations were dictated by topography.

The course that emerged featured eleven holes, laid out end to end from the clubhouse to the far end of the property. One played the holes out, turned around, and played the holes in, for a total of 22 holes. In 1764, several of the holes were deemed too short, and were therefore combined. The number was thereby reduced from 11 to nine, so that a complete round of the links comprised 18 holes.

There are six golf courses in St. Andrews including The Old Course which is where the game was first played. The clubs are open to the public as are the courses, but be prepared to wait! The Old Course has over 40,000 rounds of golf played on it every year. In fact, as of this writing, the official St. Andrews website reports that tee times for April through October of 2007 are completely booked.

You may have the best luck on one of the other courses, but you will need to make reservations well in advance. St. Andrews allow you to book tee times online, so check out their website and make a reservation as soon as you know when you’ll be there.

Be prepared to pay to play St. Andrews, however. Greens fees during the prime season between April and October are $235 for an adult on the Old Course. Of course, the other courses are slightly cheaper and you’ll save some money in the off-season as well.

There are plenty of places to stay when you want to golf at St. Andrews. There are over 500 hotels and numerous dining places nearby. There is easy access from local airstrips, so you won’t have much problem actually getting to the links on your scheduled day to play. In the meantime, you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful countryside in the world complete with old castles and historical sites!

You can visit the official St. Andrews Link website at www.standrews.org.uk.

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